At Cherokee Trail: Rampart, a No. 12 seed, was the lone 5A Colorado Springs Metro League team to win on Wednesday night behind 19 points from Tre Young and 14 from Donovan Oldham. The Rams (18-6) made enough free throws down the stretch to hold off fifth-seeded Cherokee Trail (9-15) on the road.

Thomas Fife made 8 of 10 free-throw attempts in the final minutes to help Rampart to victory after a 30-foot heave at the buzzer came up short for Cherokee Trail.

"We felt like we were better than a 12 seed, but Cherokee Trail was as good as advertised," Rampart coach Patrick Simpson said. "Our kids came prepared and played really composed."

Up next for Rampart will be a second-round game at No. 4 Grand Junction (20-2) on Saturday.

"We haven't seen Grand Junction very much, but it takes a good team to win 20 games, and it'll be the main show in town, so we're ready for a good high school atmosphere," Simpson said.

Monarch 63, Palmer 45

At Monarch: Fifth-seeded Monarch (19-5) built a 41-28 halftime lead and cruised to the second round of the 5A state tournament. Ben Beauchamp had a game-high 26 points for the Coyotes.

Palmer (6-18) has lost its last two playoff games - both to Monarch - with the last game being played in 2011.

At Montbello: It wasn't pretty for No. 10 Liberty (13-11), as its offense - which averaged 57 points per game in the regular season - couldn't get it going on the road against the No. 7 Warriors (12-12).

Ralston Valley 72, Pine Creek 54

At Ralston Valley: The No. 12 Eagles (8-16) ended a disappointing 2013-14 campaign with their 11th loss in 12 games.

5A second-round matchups

In the Chauncey Billups' region, No. 4 Doherty (16-7) was the only 5A area boys' team to receive a first-round bye. The Spartans will host No. 5 Legend (16-8) - which defeated No. 12 Loveland 50-44 Wednesday night - at 6 p.m. Saturday. The 5A CSML champs are riding a seven-game winning streak, while Legend snapped a three-game losing skid with the first-round victory over Loveland.

4A State Tournament First Round

Lewis-Palmer 63, Montrose 45

At Lewis-Palmer: The two-time defending 4A state champs started their quest for a third title with a strong defensive effort.

After a slow start and a four-point halftime lead, the Rangers dominated in the third quarter, outscoring Montrose 30-8 to take command.

"With our young team, it was some of these guys' first game in the playoffs and we came out a little hesitant," firts-year Lewis-Palmer coach Bill Benton said. "But I'm very proud of them to hold a team to 45 points in a playoff game."

Lewis-Palmer will travel to top-seeded Thompson Valley on Friday night, and Benton says his team will be ready.

"We played the third-hardest schedule in 4A, and we do that for a reason - for Friday night," he said. "When you play in our conference, you get tested, so there is no awe or wow factor for us. We're excited about the opportunity."

Falcon 48, Pueblo West 46

At Falcon: Thaddeus Hall hit the game-winning shot for eighth-seeded Falcon (14-10), who will travel to top-seeded D'Evelyn on Friday night in the second round.

The Falcons needed to rally late to avoid the Pueblo West upset bid.

Steamboat Springs 40, Sierra 38, OT

At Steamboat Springs: The seventh-seeded Sailors (18-6) sank a shot with four seconds left in overtime to knock the Stallions out of the 4A state tournament.

At the end of regulation, Sierra (10-14) failed to get a shot off in the waning seconds, which led to the extra period.

At Elizabeth: Fifth-seeded Elizabeth (18-6) used a balanced scoring attack - which featured four players in double figures - to eliminate No. 12 Canon City (9-15).

James Christiansen led the Cardinals with 17 points and Jake Gavitt added 16 for Elizabeth, which will travel to Thompson Valley on Friday to face No. 4 Mesa Ridge (14-9) in the second round.

4A second-round matchups

In the Guy Gibbs' region, No. 2 Sand Creek (18-5) will host No. 7 Steamboat Springs (18-6) at 8 p.m. Friday. The Sailors defeated Sierra with a last-second shot in overtime to advance, while the Scorpions have won six of their last eight and have one of the best scorers in the state in Dylan Clark (20.5 ppg).

In the Mark Randall region, No. 2 Cheyenne Mountain (18-5) will host No. 7 Silver Creek (13-11) at 6 p.m. Friday. The Indians have one of the best players in the state in Ghassan Nehme and are on a five-game winning streak. Silver Creek defeated No. 10 Fort Morgan 80-54 in the first round.

Also in the Mark Randall region, No. 4 Mesa Ridge (14-9) will take on No. 5 Elizabeth (18-6) at Thompson Valley at 5 p.m. Friday. The Grizzlies - champs of the 4A CSML - have won five of six, while Elizabeth defeated No. 12 Canon City 70-61 in the first round.

3A Tri-Peaks Crossover

Manitou Springs 43, James Irwin 31

At Manitou Springs: Chase Megyeri scored 21 points for the Mustangs, who steadily built their lead from eight at halftime to 13 by the end of the third quarter.

Manitou Springs (11-9) will play St. Mary's on Friday night in the crossover semifinals.

St. Mary's 79, The Classical Academy 71 (OT)

At St. Mary's: Robert Delfeld led St. Mary's (17-3) with 23 points and Jimmy Velten added 14. The Pirates also got double-figure scoring from Alex Greenly (13) and Ben Padrnos (12).

St. Mary's advances to the crossover semifinals Friday night against rival Manitou Springs.

CSCS 39, Buena Vista 21

At CSCS: The Lions (17-3) won their 16th straight game and will face Ellicott in the 3A crossover semifinals on Friday.

Ellicott 49, Florence 46

At Ellicott: The Thunderhawks (15-5) picked up their sixth straight victory and will face CSCS Friday night in a matchup of two of the elite 3A Tri-Peaks teams.

2A District 8

Peyton 66, Colorado Springs School 26

At Peyton: The Panthers (18-2) kept rolling, winning their 13th game in a row. Peyton will host Calhan on Friday night in the district semifinals. The Panthers outscored Calhan 127-84 in the teams' two meetings in the regular season - both Peyton wins.

Kiowa 52, The Vanguard School 31

At Kiowa: Kiowa (14-6) has won six of its last seven games and will play Simla in the district semifinals Friday night, with the winner getting either Peyton or Calhan.